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Year 2002 Reunion Report |
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A Reunion Postscript By Fred Ferrer WWII and Korean War Demon Chasers Reminisce (Savannah, Georgia) Men and women from the long past eras of the 91stIntelligence Squadron’s distinguished past gathered in March 2002 at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum to reminisce and share stories about the unit’s service in the Caribbean, South and Central America in the Far East from the1940’s and 50’s. |
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| The newly established 91st Squadron Heritage Foundation hosted the three-day reunion centered in the historic city of Savannah. Committed to keeping the distinguished service of the squadron since its inception in August 1917, the Foundation invited members to join the gathering from across the nation. Reunion attendees were hosted to visits and tours at the Georgia Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing; theMighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum; and Savannah’s historic downtown district. The event culminated in a banquet in the beautiful foyer of the Mighty 8th Museum. |
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The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum |
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| The 165th Wing Color Guard began the evening with a positing of the Colors; followed by an invocation by retired Major William Baumer. Major Baumer was the 91st SRS Operations Officer until December 1951, when the mission he was flying was brought down over the Yalu River. Earlier that day, Major Baumer had told his story to the group, recounting how he spent the next two and a half years as a POW in Communist China. Foundation President and Reunion Coordinator retired SMSgt Frederick Ferrer made brief welcoming remarks and, with the assistance of the Color Guard, dedicated a Table of Honor to the unit’s fallen and missing comrades. Following was a wonderful dinner by the Mighty 8th kitchen and catering staff, a specially decorated Demon Chaser cake was presented and ceremoniously cut by the youngest and oldest unit members present. Representing the current 91st IS, as the youngest member present was 1st Lt Angela Eversgerd. The oldest member present was 85-year-old retired Lt Col Roy “Pop” Kaden (91st RS 1945-50). Appropriately aged for such an occasion, Colonel Kaden is just a month older than the unit, having been born in July 1917. During coffee and cake, Colonel Kaden gave a briefing to the group about his recently declassified reconnaissance mission over the Soviet Union. This mission, long kept secret helped national decision-makers and war planners better understand the threat of Soviet bomber activity in the Artic. The Air Force Director of Surveillence, Reconnaissance and Intelligence (Major General Glen Shaffer) is working on the belated award of the DistinguishedFlying Cross to this crew for this dangerous, but crucial mission. After the presentation the gathering ended with the thanking of our Mighty 8th Museum hosts, the presentation of unit coins to the165th Wing Color Guard and pinning of our National Guard Host, Colonel Edward Wexler (165th AW Vice Commander), as an honoraryDemon Chaser. Before ending the night,the Color Guard retired the Colors and Taps were played as a final tribute to those 91st unit members who have gone before us. After dinner, members returned to the Hospitality Suite setup for drinks, coffee and more reminiscing before retiring for theevening. It is here in this social setting, that unit members exchanged photos and memories from Panama, Ramey Field, Puerto Rico, flying over the Andes and some of those dangerous and suspenseful reconnaissance missions during the Korean War. On hand to recount these stories were pilots, photographers, gunners, otherr crewmembers, support personnel; the whole team that made the 91st as successful as it has been through the decades. The next morning, after breakfast and more conversations, various members packed their bags and said their good-byes, for what everyone hopes will be the ?next time? everyone can get together under such joyous circumstances. As the years progress, more and more members leave us, and it is our wish that all of their stories be captured for history before the last of their memories fade and leave us. Fred Ferrer |
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End of Part 1 Return to Year 2002 Reunion Table of Contents |
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